Calla Lily Plant Named ‘Merlot BLZ’

ABSTRACT

A calla lily plant particularly distinguished by red-purple spathes, medium-density maculation on the upper surface of the leaves that is visible from the lower surface and produces 2 to 4 inflorescences per 3-cm tuber, is described.

Genus and species: Zantedeschia sp.

Variety denomination: ‘Merlot BLZ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of callalily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sp., and hereinafter referred toby the cultivar name ‘Merlot BLZ’. The new cultivar was asexuallyreproduced from micropropagation by tissue culture resulting from thecross of the female parent ‘Majestic Red’, an unpatented Zantedeschiavariety and the male parent, an unnamed, unpatented Zantedeschia varietyhaving pink spathes. ‘Merlot BLZ’ is a product of a planned breedingprogram intended to create new calla lily plants with dark red-purplespathes.

The new cultivar was created in Tauranga, New Zealand and has beenasexually reproduced repeatedly from micropropagation by tissue culturein New Zealand over a three year period. The present invention has beenfound to retain its distinctive characteristics through successivepropagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in Australiaon Apr. 19, 2007, in New Zealand on May 3, 2007 and with the EuropeanUnion on Oct. 29, 2007. ‘Merlot BLZ’ has not been made publiclyavailable more than one year prior to the filing date of thisapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Tauranga, New Zealand.

-   -   1. Red-purple spathes;    -   2. Medium-density maculation of the leaves on the upper surface        that is visible from the lower surface; and    -   3. Produces 2 to 4 inflorescences per 3-cm tuber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new calla lily plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show the plant habit, mature inflorescence and foliage of theplant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures. The plants in the photographs areseven to eight weeks-old.

FIG. 1 shows the mature inflorescence and foliage.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the mature inflorescence.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the leaf and maculation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Merlot BLZ’. The data that define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inNew Zealand. The plant history was taken on plants of two-year-oldtubers based on a 3-cm diameter tuber under New Zealand summerconditions. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Araceae.        -   Botanical name.—Zantedeschia sp.        -   Common name.—Calla lily.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—‘Majestic Red’, an unpatented Zantedeschia            variety having red spathes.        -   Male parent.—An unnamed, unpatented Zantedeschia variety            having pink spathes.-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Erect.        -   Height of the leaf canopy above the soil.—35 cm to 50 cm.        -   Height of top of inflorescence above the soil.—40 cm to 55            cm.        -   Diameter.—20 cm to 35 cm.        -   Number of inflorescences per tuber size.—Tuber diameter 3            cm: 2 to 4. Tuber diameter 4 cm: 3 to 5. Tuber diameter 5            cm: 5+.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—6 to 10 weeks            depending on the climate and environment.        -   Lastingness of the inflorescence on the plant.—2 to 3 weeks.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Length: 16 cm to 20 cm. Width: 8 cm to 12 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate towards sagittate (arrow-shaped).        -   Apex.—Acute to apiculate.        -   Margin.—Moderately wavy.        -   Margin color.—RHS 144B (yellow-green).        -   Venation patter.—Pinnate.        -   Surface texture.—Leathery.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137B.        -   Maculation (leaf spots).—General: Maculation is only on the            upper surface of the leaf but is visible from the lower            surface. Density: Medium density. Color: RHS 155C.        -   Petiole.—Average number per tuber: 1 to 3. Length: 15 cm to            30 cm. Diameter: 0.6 cm to 1 cm. Texture: Smooth. Character:            Strong. Color: Base: RHS 155A. Lower portion: RHS 146B.            Upper portion: RHS 144A. Sheath: Length: 4 cm to 8 cm.            Diameter: 1.0 cm to 1.6 cm. Color: RHS 146B (yellow-green).-   Roots:    -   -   Color.—RHS 155D (white).        -   Branching.—Not branched, attached to the top of the tuber at            the apices.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Spathe (flower body).—Size: Height: 8 cm to 10 cm. Width:            5.5 cm to 6.5 cm. Color (both upper and lower parts): RHS            59A. Vein color: RHS 60A. Fragrance: Absent. Shape:            Cup-shaped. Texture: Smooth. Apex: Cuspidate. Base:            Attenuate. Margin: Entire.        -   Spadix (reproductive organs).—Size: Length: 2.0 cm to            2.5 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm to 0.7 cm. Color: Base: RHS 59A.            Upper part: RHS 39A. Position relative to spathe: Upright.            Shape: Elongated. Apex: Rounded.        -   Peduncle (flower stem).—Length: 35 cm to 55 cm. Diameter:            0.5 cm to 0.7 cm. Color: Base: RHS 155A. Upper part: RHS            144A. Surface texture: Smooth. Strength: Strong.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Location of female organs.—Basal position of the spadix.        -   Location of male organs.—Upper position of the spadix.        -   Perianth (the floral envelope, calyx and            corolla).—Conspicuous.        -   Pollen color.—RHS 155A (white).        -   Stamens.—Not visible before pollen release.        -   Pistil.—Number: 20 to 30 per spadix. Color: RHS 17B.-   Fruit (berries):    -   -   Quantity of berries per plant.—10 to 20.        -   Color.—RHS 145B.        -   Size.—Length: 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm. Width: 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm.-   Disease and insect resistance:    -   -   Disease resistance.—No susceptibility noted to date.        -   Pest resistance.—No susceptibility noted to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND KNOWN CULTIVARS

When compared to the female parent, ‘Majestic Red’ (unpatented), ‘MerlotBLZ’ has a larger number and more uniform inflorescences and a thinnerpeduncle than ‘Majestic Red’.

When compared to the male parent, an unnamed unpatented individualZantedeschia variety, ‘Merlot BLZ’ has red-purple spathes, while themale parent has pink spathes.

When compared to the commercial variety ‘Vermeer’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.18,281) in that ‘Merlot BLZ’ has red-purple spathes, while ‘Vermeer’ haswhite and purple spathes.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of calla lily plant as shown anddescribed herein.